According to Serbian Economist, the Ukrainian Embassy in Serbia has announced an open-ended fundraiser for the restoration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which was damaged during the war.
The embassy has called on the Ukrainian community, residents of Serbia, businesses, and all those willing to help to support the restoration of one of Christianity’s most important holy sites.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is one of Ukraine’s most important religious and historical symbols. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is significant not only for Ukraine but also for the entire Orthodox and European cultural tradition.
Therefore, this fundraising effort can serve as a gesture of solidarity not only from the Ukrainian diaspora but also from Serbian society.
Donations are being collected in the account of the “Helping Is Simple” Charitable Foundation.
Bank details published by the embassy:
Recipient: Charitable Foundation “Helping Is Simple!”
Recipient code: 37806835
Account number: UA493052990000026003050007570
Bank: JSC CB “PrivatBank”
Links to the embassy’s announcements:
https://serbia.mfa.gov.ua/news/bezstrokovij-zbir-na-vidnovlennya-kiyevo-pecherskoyi-lavri
https://t.me/relocationrs/3046
The volume of imports of transformers, inductors, and chokes into Ukraine in January–May 2026 increased by 89% compared to the same period in 2025—reaching $738.9 million, according to statistics from the State Customs Service.
According to the published data, imports of these products in May rose by 45.8% compared to May of last year but fell by nearly half compared to April of this year, reaching $76.9 million.
Thus, the growth rate of imports has begun to slow compared to the same period last year, and the decline in imports relative to the previous month of 2026 is accelerating; specifically, in April of this year, the decline was 34% compared to March 2026.
As previously reported, in March of this year, the Cabinet of Ministers removed transformers from the list of goods eligible for preferential import under agreements with the EU Secretariat.
At the same time, in May, the European Business Association, in an official letter to First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, called for the introduction of a temporary exemption from import duties and VAT for certain types of power transformers.
According to the State Customs Service, China remains the largest supplier of these products to Ukraine. Over the past five months, $665.6 million worth of these goods were imported (90% of total imports of these goods), whereas a year earlier, $321.5 million worth of transformers and chokes were imported from China (82.3%).
In addition, transformers were imported from Turkey (2%) and Germany (1.3%), whereas last year the share of imports from Germany was nearly 5%, and from Turkey—3.7%.
According to the State Customs Service, Ukraine exported transformers, inductors, and chokes worth nearly $16 million in January–May (compared to $10.9 million last year), primarily to Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
As reported with reference to the State Customs Service, in 2025, Ukraine’s imports of transformers, inductors, and chokes increased by 88% compared to 2024, reaching $1.12 billion. Imports from China alone were 2.3 times higher, totaling $957.3 million.
In January–May of this year, Ukrainian companies reduced their consumption of rolled metal products by 2.22% compared to the same period last year, down to 1,592.4 thousand metric tons.
According to a press release from the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association on Tuesday, 732.4 thousand metric tons were imported during this period, accounting for 45.99% of the domestic rolled steel consumption market.
According to “Ukrmetallurgprom,” in January–May 2026, Ukrainian steel companies produced 2.340 million metric tons of rolled steel (93.3% of the figure for the same period in 2025), of which, according to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, approximately 1.480 million metric tons—or 63.2%—were exported. In January–May 2025, the share of exports was 61.5% (1.541 million metric tons out of a total rolled steel production of 2.507 million metric tons).
The share of semi-finished products in export shipments in January–May 2026 was 41.22%, which is significantly higher than the figure for the first five months of 2025 (32.23%). The share of flat products in exports from January through May 2026 is virtually the same as in January through May 2025 (46.96% and 46.59%, respectively). The share of long products, however, is noticeably lower than the figure for January–May 2025 (11.82% in 2026 versus 20.18% in 2025).
The structure of imports in January–May 2026 is characterized by a marked dominance of flat-rolled products over structural steel (62.42% and 28.59%, respectively); however, in January–May 2025, the dominance of flat-rolled products over long products was significantly greater (76.83% and 21.23%, respectively).
“In January–May 2026, the domestic market capacity amounted to 1 million 592.4 thousand metric tons of rolled steel, of which 732.4 thousand metric tons, or 45.99%, consisted of imports. In January–May 2025, the domestic market capacity was 1,557.8 thousand metric tons, of which 591.8 thousand metric tons, or 37.99%, were imported. “Thus, in January–May 2026, the domestic market capacity decreased by 2.22% compared to January–May 2025, while the share of imports increased by 8%,” the press release states.
According to the State Customs Service, the main export markets for Ukrainian rolled metal in January–May 2026 were the European Union (78.6%), the rest of Europe (11.7%), and the CIS (6.9%).
Among importers of rolled metal in January–May 2026, other European countries ranked first (47.8%), followed by Asian countries (26.6%) and the EU-27 (16.0%).
As previously reported, Ukraine’s rolled metal market grew by 21.73% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 4 million 1.6 thousand metric tons. Imports totaled 1 million 603.6 thousand metric tons, accounting for 40.07% of domestic rolled metal consumption.
Ukraine’s rolled steel market in 2024 contracted by 6.26% compared to the previous year—to 3 million 288.4 thousand metric tons, while in 2023 it grew 2.19 times compared to 2022—to 3 million 505.6 thousand metric tons.
EXPORTS, IMPORTS, METALLURGY, rolled metal, UKRMETALLURGPROM
In January–May 2026, Ukraine reduced imports of zinc and zinc products by 34.2% compared to the same period last year, to $14.029 million.
In May, imports of zinc and zinc products amounted to $3.499 million.
Zinc exports for the first five months of 2026 totaled $466,000, while in January–May 2025 they were $523,000. In May, zinc exports amounted to $174,000.
As reported, in 2025 Ukraine reduced imports of zinc and zinc products by 9.6% compared to 2024—to $52.982 million. Zinc exports for the past year reached $1.234 million, compared to $563,000 a year earlier.
Pure metallic zinc is used to restore precious metals, protect steel from corrosion, and for other purposes.
On June 15, 2026, the Supervisory Board of PJSC “Insurance Company ”Euroins Ukraine“” (Kyiv) decided to establish a separate division, the “Transcarpathian Regional Office” (Uzhhorod).
As the company reported in the information disclosure system of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC), this decision is driven by the need to expand the company’s regional network, develop sales channels, and increase the sales of insurance products.
Following state registration, the separate division will provide insurance services.
Euroins Ukraine Insurance Company is a universal non-life insurer that has been operating in the Ukrainian market since 1992. The company has 75 offices throughout the country and holds a license to provide insurance in 16 classes. It is actively engaged in the auto insurance, health insurance, property insurance, liability insurance, and cargo insurance segments for both private and corporate clients.
Euroins Ukraine Insurance Company is a member of the Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine, the League of Insurance Organizations of Ukraine (LIOU), and the European Business Association (EBA).
The Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Plant “Zaporizhstal” is carrying out systematic work to maintain and modernize its crane system and lifting equipment
According to the company’s press release, the reliable operation of this equipment is a key component of ensuring the continuity of production processes, employee safety, and the creation of comfortable working conditions.
It is noted that the plant operates 230 lifting mechanisms and 447 cranes. All equipment undergoes regular maintenance, repairs, and modernization with the implementation of modern solutions in the field of occupational health and safety.
“Today, the company is carrying out comprehensive work to maintain the crane fleet in good working order—from regular technical audits and timely detection of malfunctions to staff training and the implementation of modern safety standards. This approach ensures uninterrupted production operations and creates safer working conditions for our employees,” noted Kirill Gavrilyuk, Director of Occupational Health and Industrial Safety at Zaporizhstal.
It is also reported that in 2025, the company carried out a series of major overhauls of crane equipment with a total cost of over 13.6 million UAH. In particular, a major overhaul of the ore-handling gantry crane was carried out in the blast furnace shop. As part of the work, the crane and trolley travel mechanisms, as well as the grab lifting and closing mechanisms, were updated; the trolley rails were replaced; and the steel structures, electrical equipment, and safety devices were repaired.
In the slab mill section of the hot rolling shop, major repairs were performed on two grab cranes. The work involved repairing the main steel structures, the main hoisting mechanisms, control systems, electric motors, and electrical equipment.
In addition, the company allocated approximately UAH 170 million to maintain the equipment in good working order and perform routine repairs on the crane equipment.
In 2026, Zaporizhstal continues the systematic modernization of its crane fleet. Since the beginning of the year, 14 new industrial air conditioners have been installed on overhead and crane systems in the hot rolling shop, cold rolling shop, blast furnace shop, and open-hearth shop. To improve working conditions for crane operators, the company also purchased and installed modern anti-vibration seats, which help reduce the impact of vibration and prevent the development of occupational diseases.
In total, nearly 90 million UAH is allocated for maintenance and repairs of crane facilities in 2026.
Among the largest projects of the year is the overhaul of one of the gantry cranes in the hot rolling shop, with an investment of over 7 million UAH. The project involves a comprehensive upgrade of mechanical and electrical equipment, modernization of control systems, replacement of cables and wiring, and the completion of a full range of commissioning works.
In all structural units of the plant, material-handling cranes are equipped with audible alarms to warn employees of moving machinery. In the hot rolling shop, four cranes have additionally been fitted with a visual lighting system for the areas where loading and unloading operations take place. In the railway transport department, two cranes are equipped with an automated signaling system that prevents the mechanisms from starting without a warning signal. The combination of audible signals and visual indicators helps employees better navigate the crane operating area and significantly reduces production risks during loading and unloading operations.
Zaporizhstal is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are PJSC System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
crane fleet, METINVEST, MODERNIZATION, occupational safety, ZAPORIZHSTAL
